You already know it’s healthy to get outside and spend some time in nature from time to time. After all, everyone says so: from your mom to your doctor to that random health influencer you follow on IG. But rarely does anyone actually explain why that’s true (beyond the vague “it’s good for you”).

Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we tell you exactly why you should take regular breaks from the screens and usual indoor chaos and spend time in the great outdoors – as a family. 

Hiking, in particular, offers something rare in today’s increasingly digital world: a built-in way to move your body, reset your head, and reconnect with your people without needing much more than a decent pair of shoes and a loose plan.

Mind you, this isn’t just about exercise, although obviously, that’s part of it. It’s also about emotional well-being and regulation, building trust, and spending actual quality family time together. 

But if you’ve never hiked before, or you’ve tried once and it was a disaster, it’s perfectly understandable if you find it awkward or even intimidating. The great news is, hiking with your kids and partner is easier than it looks once you understand how to set it up for success (no, you don’t need a color-coded gear checklist or to wake up at 5 a.m.).

Here’s everything you need to know to make your next group hiking activity a fun, educational, and low-stress adventure.

Why Outside Time Matters (Especially Now)

Spending time in nature has fantastic benefits on your mental and emotional health. Researchers at Stanford found that walking in natural environments can lower depression and the activity in the part of your brain linked to rumination, which is that spiraling loop of negative thinking many of us struggle with. In other words, hiking can literally make you feel better, happier even.

And of course, not just you – if you hike together as a family, you can all benefit at the same time. You’re getting physical exercise, mental clarity, and emotional regulation wrapped into a single, low-cost activity.

If you’ve never hiked before, go somewhere near your home. Pick a short-ish route, bring some snacks, and explore the great outdoors. If you’re looking for something unforgettable that blends physical challenge, natural beauty, and accessible family adventure, Dolomites hut to hut hiking might just hit the sweet spot. 

There are family-friendly treks through Northern Italy, like Alta Via 1, that offer seriously stunning alpine routes with cozy overnight huts (called rifugi), meaning you don’t have to carry a tent or wonder where you’ll find dinner.

Strengthening Family Bonds

Scheduled family bonding activities (like planned board game nights) can sometimes feel forced. Hiking? It doesn’t try that hard. You’re walking, talking, noticing, maybe struggling a bit together. Shared challenges, like figuring out how to cross a stream or who gets the last sandwich, naturally encourage teamwork and empathy.

For children, hiking offers structure without rigidity. There’s a destination, but how you get there can change based on pace and curiosity. Teens also tend to respond well to the autonomy hiking offers. Plus, there’s no audience to impress on the trail, so moods tend to even out once you get going.

Emotional Growth

Hiking as a family gives your kids more than just an afternoon distraction. It fosters emotional development through problem-solving, managing discomfort, and learning persistence. When a child pushes through a steep incline and sees a view at the top, they develop not only physical stamina but also internal confidence.

You also model emotional regulation by navigating unpredictability together. After all, trails don’t always follow a plan, and neither does parenting. Hiking shows kids (and frankly, reminds adults, too) that it’s okay to face a little discomfort, as long as you keep moving forward.

Educational Payoffs

Every hike is a living lesson. You’re moving through ecosystems, observing wildlife, and reading maps (even if it’s just on your phone). Younger kids absorb information just by asking questions like, “What’s that bug?” As for older kids, they benefit from navigating trails and reading signs.

If you want to build self-reliance, for example, let your teen lead a hike – safely – with you trailing behind.

Natural Teamwork

Hiking brings out leadership and collaboration in surprising ways. For example, it’s not uncommon for the quiet child to start encouraging their sibling when the trail gets tricky. Or for your partner to finally relax after a week of work chaos and start cracking jokes.

The point is, when you strip away distractions, people often show up as their best selves, and those moments are the ones that stick.

What About Starting From Scratch?

It might feel overwhelming if you’ve never taken your family on a hike before. You’re not sure where to go, how long to stay out, what to pack (or how to survive complaints about it being too hot, too cold, or too boring). But honestly, you don’t need fancy gear or a backcountry survival plan.

Here’s how to start:

• Choose a short, low-elevation trail close to home. One mile out, one mile back is plenty.
• Pack healthy snacks they actually like (yes, even the fruit snacks you pretend are just for toddlers).
• Give each kid one simple job: carry the map, find trail markers, spot birds, etc. They need to feel like part of the process.
• Set expectations before the hike: “This might be a little hard, but we’re doing it together.”
• End on a high note. If that means ice cream after? That counts as strategy, not bribery.

As you get more comfortable, you can explore longer trails, loop routes, and even overnight options.